June 2, 2026 — Dustin T. Osborne, a staff engineer in the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) Powertrain Engineering Division, was elected a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
ASME members nominate Fellows in recognition of significant engineering achievements in their fields and the engineering profession. They must have 10 years or more of active professional engineering practice and at least 10 years of ASME membership. He is one of only 3,448 Fellows out of more than 70,000 ASME members.
Osborne joined SwRI in 2006 and is part of the Institute’s Locomotive Technology Center. He has more than 20 years of experience in locomotive emissions measurement, EPA certification testing and large-bore engine performance evaluations.
As a locomotive emissions expert, he conducts performance testing of diesel and alternative-fueled locomotive platforms, such as biodiesel, renewable diesel, dual-fuel and spark-ignited natural gas engines. He also has extensive experience in evaluating exhaust aftertreatment systems. He has led various locomotive testing campaigns at SwRI, serving as principal investigator for particulate matter characterization research that provided the EPA with critical insights into its Tier 3 and Tier 4 standards, which affect the entire North American locomotive fleet.
His research focuses on locomotive emissions control technologies, emissions measurement methodologies, alternative fuels and large-bore engine technologies. He has published numerous peer-reviewed papers on these subjects since joining the Institute.
“Dustin is recognized as a technical expert in locomotive exhaust emissions characterization by locomotive engine manufacturers, North American railroads, and federal and state air pollution regulators,” said Steven G. Fritz, P.E., manager of SwRI’s Locomotive Technology Center and another ASME Fellow. “He embodies the engineering excellence and dedication to the profession that the grade of ASME Fellow represents. He is a distinguished expert whose work has directly shaped national environmental policy.”
A member of ASME for more than 15 years, he served on the executive committee of the ASME Internal Combustion Engine Division. He chaired the 2024 ICE Forward Conference. He graduated from Texas Tech University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering in 2004 and 2006, respectively.
For more information, visit Locomotive Emission Testing or contact Jesús Chávez at +1 210 522 2258, Communications Department, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238-5166.